What a fantastic opportunity both children and staff had during the hatch for schools programme over the past two weeks. Seven chicks hatched over three days. All the children had the chance to interact, care for and learn about chickens and their life cycle, from incubation, hatching and finally growth.

Gordon D’Arcy, the naturalist led the children in the senior room on a field trip to Cloondroon Lake where they compiled lists of flora and fauns and investigated the habitat. The starting point was the migration of swans to the lake. They then drew pictures of swans, eels, salmon, meadow pipet and a skylark. He spoke about life cycles, migration and the connection between celtic mythology and nature.
The children in the middle and junior rooms went on a spring walk identifying flowers.
They planted, runner beans, carrots and cress seeds.
Groups of children furnished the bug hotel.
There was a Green School quiz in the afternoon.